Alcohol licence bid for closed Tranent restaurant

A restaurant which operated without a valid drinks licence for several years before closing its doors looks set to reopen under a new name.

Giancarlo’s in Tranent opened in August  2015, but the company which held its premises licence, Pacitti Ltd, was dissolved the following September meaning it the permit was no longer valid.

The matter only came to light two years ago after the restaurant operators missed their annual licence fee payment and  East Lothian Council’s licensing team checked on its status.

Now it looks likely it will reopen after Mauro Pacitti applied for a series of occasional licences to allow alcohol to be sold on the premises in April under its new name La Trattoria.

The occasional licences applications will go before East Lothian Licensing Board where members will be told Mr Pacitti is a personal licence holder but no application has been made for a new premises licence for the restaurant, leading to the request for the temporary permits to sell alcohol during opening times next month..

Giancarlo’s opened on Tranent High Street in 2015 quickly becoming a popular eaterie in the town. It was forced to close its doors temporarily in 2022 after safety fears were raised about subsidence issues with the building.

The restaurant reopened five months but closed its doors for the last time in May 2023.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter